Public Opinions And Social Trends, Great Britain - 28 February To 10 March 2024

19th March 2024

The following information is for the latest survey period 28 February to 10 March 2024, based on adults in Great Britain.

When asked about the important issues facing the UK today, the most commonly reported issues were; the cost of living (87%), the NHS (83%) and the economy (67%).

Climate change and the environment (57%), housing (56%), crime (55%), international conflict (48%) and immigration (47%) were other commonly reported important issues facing the UK today.

Around 1 in 8 adults (13%) reported they were often or always able to recognise when they were using AI; this proportion appears to have remained stable since we first asked the question in November 2023 (15% in the period 1 to 12 November 2023).

Just under half of adults (46%) reported their cost of living had increased over the last month, this proportion has gradually decreased since April 2023 (76% in the period 22 March to 2 April 2023); around half (51%) said their cost of living had remained the same over the last month, with 3% saying it had decreased.

Among adults who told us that their cost of living had increased over the last month:

Rises in the price of their food shopping (89%), their gas and electricity bills (67%) or their fuel (55%) continue to be the most commonly reported reasons for an increase in their cost of living.

The proportion reporting the price of their fuel had increased (55%) has gradually risen since the start of 2024 (41% in the period 4 to 14 January 2024).

The proportion reporting the price of their gas or electricity bills had increased (67%) has gradually fallen since the start of 2024 (85% in the period 4 to 14 January 2024).

Among adults who pay energy bills:

Around 4 in 10 (39%) reported finding it very or somewhat difficult to afford them; this proportion was at its highest in spring 2023 (49% in the period 17 to 29 May 2023).

See the full ONS report HERE